The Art and Science of Sustainable Wine Business and Tourism
Proudly brought to you by Great Wine Capitals and delivered by the University of Adelaide:
- 6-day in person program at Adelaide Business School – 19 May, 20 May, 26 May, 27 May, 2 June, and 3 June 2025
- up to 12 scholarships may be awarded to eligible and outstanding candidates
- up to 8 other eligible candidates may be offered paid placements in the program.
Domestic and international customer preferences in wine and wine tourism experiences are changing rapidly. Meanwhile, the South Australian wine industry needs to be able to quickly identify and respond to new and emerging demands and expectations to keep customers engaged, and to stay ahead of the game.
This 6-day executive business program is a new educational offering from Great Wine Capitals, and has been carefully designed by Adelaide Business School's wine business and tourism world-class experts for the South Australian context.
The program will equip participants with best practice knowledge to:
- develop or strengthen an entrepreneurial mindset
- build brand reputation
- design effective digital communication strategies
- identify appropriate distribution channels
- learn how to best negotiate with channel partners
- develop engaging cellar door and tourism experiences
- optimise the use of available resources.
On completion, participants will be better positioned to handle the growing complexities of the industry, achieve more with fewer resources, build leadership and personal capabilities, improve their organisation’s performance, and successfully combine evidence-based data and creative ideas for business success.
2025 Scholarship recipients
Cathy Williams – The Islander Estate Vineyards & Battle of Bosworth Wines (Kangaroo Island)
Cath is a Marketing Consultant working with boutique wineries in McLaren Vale and Kangaroo Island.
A career marketer, Cath spent many years at multi-national advertising networks like Saatchi & Saatchi, managing some of Australia's best-known brands across Australasia. However, her most rewarding roles have been closer to home.
A highlight was developing Kangaroo Island's first 'place brand' on behalf of the Kangaroo Island Future's Authority, creating an umbrella under which all the region's industries could market collaboratively to drive economic growth.
Felix Bekkers – Young Felix Wines (McLaren Vale)
Felix is the son of an Australian viticulturist and a French winemaker. A native of McLaren Vale, Felix is presently studying a Bachelor of Business at Flinders University and recently returned from working the 2024 vintage in Bordeaux.
Drawing upon his family history and time spent in the wine regions of Australia and France, Felix founded his small wine label 'Young Felix Wines' in 2023 at the age of 18.
Young Felix aims to craft fresh, early drinking wines to be shared in the company of friends. These wines are sold directly to the customer, bars and restaurants with social media as an important avenue for storytelling.
Hannah Timms – Raidis Estate (Coonawarra)
Hannah is a seasoned hospitality and wine industry professional, bringing over 15 years of experience in hospitality and more than a decade in the wine sector. She has worked with 3 of Coonawarra’s most esteemed wineries, honing her expertise in wine sales, events, and customer experience.
Following a successful 7-year tenure at Hollick Estates, where she played a key role as Restaurant Manager, Hannah transitioned to the role of Cellar Door Manager in 2021 at Wynns Coonawarra Estate – one of Coonawarra’s leading wine brands.
She now leads the events and sales operations at Raidis Estate, a family-owned winery known for its customer-focused and sustainability-driven approach.
Her dedication to the wine business extends beyond customer engagement. She has earned a Certificate IV in Business Management and WSET Level 2 certification with the hopes of finishing her WSET Level 3 certification.
Hugh MacGillivray – Langmeil Winery (Barossa)
Hugh is an accomplished wine professional with a diverse background in direct-to-consumer sales and marketing in the wine industry, both in Australia and China.
Currently serving as the Executive Manager Direct to Consumer Sales at Langmeil Winery in Barossa, South Australia, he is dedicated to enhancing operational efficiencies, increasing cellar door visitation, and driving wine club performance.
Previously, Hugh excelled at Brothers at War Wines and Gibson Wines, where he implemented D2C system changes focused on efficiency and wine club growth, achieving results that significantly exceed industry standards.
Dr Irina Santiago-Brown – Inkwell Wines (McLaren Vale)
Irina is an internationally recognised leader in sustainable viticulture. She serves as Head Winemaker and Viticulturist at Inkwell Wines in McLaren Vale, which she operates with her husband Dudley Brown.
Inkwell is Australia's first Regenerative Organic Certified vineyard, demonstrating how holistic farming practices can enhance soil health, biodiversity, workforce wellbeing, and wine quality.
With an extraordinary background combining high-level government advisory experience and academic expertise, Irina developed the Sustainable Australia Winegrowing program through her groundbreaking PhD research. The first of its kind globally, this research now forms the foundation of Australia's national sustainability framework for viticulture.
Irina served as expert judge for Jancis Robinson's international sustainable vineyards writing competition and is the author of the 'Sustainable Viticulture' and 'Regenerative Viticulture' entries for the Oxford Companion to Wine.
Marissa Harvey – Beach Road Wines (McLaren Vale)
Marissa has been a part of the Beach Road Wines team in the picturesque McLaren Vale since 2018. A sixth-generation family member to live and work in the Fleurieu Peninsula and third generation to be involved in the wine industry for the last 10 years.
Marissa holds qualifications in Accounting, Financial Planning, Leadership and Management, and has participated in the Next Crop and Wine Industry Mentors programs.
Matthew Kurko – Small Batch Wine Tours (Barossa, McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills)
Matthew is the director of Small Batch Wine Tours, a boutique, wine-focused travel brand catering to the high-end and luxury travel market.
Growing up with strong ties to the Barossa during the 90s and 2000s sparked his interest in wine. Since then, he has travelled across various wine regions, including Mendoza in Argentina, the Willamette Valley in the USA, Sardinia in Italy, and Kakheti in Georgia.
Having completed his WSET Level 3 in 2019, along with vintages at medium-sized and micro-wineries in 2021 and 2022, his understanding of wine spans from production to service, and extends into the tourism realm.
Matthew has 9 years of experience hosting luxury wine travellers from the US, UK, Denmark, Singapore, and New Zealand, and has travelled extensively through international and Australian wine country.
Michelle Li – Knappstein Wines (Clare Valley)
Michelle is a winemaker based in Clare Valley, working at Knappstein Wines while also running her own boutique label, Ms. L Wines.
With a decade of experience across multiple Australian wine regions, she is passionate about crafting wines that highlight the unique character of South Australian terroirs.
She recently produced a McLaren Vale Shiraz as part of the Hack the Future of Shiraz project and has judged at several prestigious wine shows. Michelle is also completing her WSET Diploma to further her expertise in the industry.
Michelle Ottaway – Regional Cellars (Adelaide)
Michelle is an experienced business leader with a strong background in business development.
She is one of the co-owners of Regions Cellars, a boutique bottle shop showcasing the finest South Australian wine, craft beer, and spirits. Starting the business with her husband and business partner Jeff, she brings over 20 years of experience in sales and business development.
Michelle has worked in a variety of industries including social and community care and e-commerce to drive collaboration, growth, and partnerships.
Ruby Osborn – d’Arenberg (McLaren Vale)
Ruby is an Assistant Winemaker at d’Arenberg and Head Distiller at Settlers Spirits, continuing her family’s winemaking legacy in McLaren Vale.
During her final year of university, she worked vintages in Victoria and Italy, completing a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology at the University of Adelaide in 2024.
Ruby is passionate about blending tradition with innovation in both winemaking and distillation, always striving to push creative boundaries.
Sammi Colbey – Adelaide Hills Wine (Adelaide Hills)
Sammi is the Marketing Manager of the Adelaide Hills Wine Region, where she combines her passion for wine tourism with a strong focus on regional development.
With a commitment to driving visitation, Sammi spearheads unique events and initiatives that showcase the region’s exceptional wines and scenic beauty.
She is also deeply passionate about exploring both international and domestic trade opportunities, working to expand the region's reach and strengthen its presence in domestic and global markets.
Through innovative marketing campaigns and strategic collaborations, Sammi plays a key role in elevating Adelaide Hills as a must-visit destination for wine lovers and fosters a growing appreciation for its diverse and world-class offerings.
Skye Hopgood – Eldredge Wines (Clare Valley)
After completing a Bachelor of Wine Marketing with the University of Adelaide, Skye moved back to the Clare Valley to work with her parents in their wine business Eldredge Vineyards.
She now manages the cellar door sales and runs the many events and functions they hold on the property.
Skye sits on various boards in the Clare Valley, working towards marketing and promoting the Clare Valley Wine Region and tourism offerings and experiences.
